THis week's WWE Raw leading into Summerslam opened cold with Daniel Bryan's music playing and Bryan out on-stage. As the crowd "Yes!ed," Michael Cole introduced the show and noted Mr. McMahon does not want Bryan to win the WWE Title at Summerslam. Already in the ring was Wade Barrett apparently for a re-match against Bryan, who was waving a "Yes!" towel. After a replay of Bryan beating Barrett on Smackdown, Cole said Barrett demanded a re-match tonight on Raw.

Back live in the ring, Bryan was introduced, then Justin Roberts introduced Raw GM Brad Maddox as special guest referee for this match. Maddox, looking like Eric Bischoff in the ref stripes, bounced to the ring, took a breath, checked the participants, and called for the opening bell three minutes into the show.

1 -- DANIEL BRYAN vs. WADE BARRETT

The "Shawn Michaels Special" opened with Barrett knocking Bryan to the floor, where Bryan jammed Barrett's leg across the ring apron. Bryan continued the leg attack in the ring as Lawler hyped John Cena vs. Bryan for the WWE Title at Summerslam. Back on the floor, Bryan airballed a flying knee smash, then turned around and ate a boot to the mouth.

Back in the ring, Barrett pounded Bryan as the announcers debated whether Barrett looks better clean-shaven or bearded. Back on the floor, Barrett chucked Bryan shoulder-first into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Barrett was slow to follow up, allowing Bryan to fight back with right hand strikes. On commentary, the announcers stressed the talking points of Cena, Bryan, or even Randy Orton potentially walking out of Summerslam as WWE champion.

Bryan made a comeback, then flew through the ropes with a suicide dive on the outside. This felt like the type of match that should have taken a mid-match break at various points, but the match continued back in the ring with Barrett ducking a kick strike. Barrett then rolled up Bryan and Maddox fast-counted Barrett to victory.

Post-match, Bryan stared at Maddox, who pretended to act fair about his three count. Maddox pointed to his referee t-shirt as Bryan prepared to kick him and JBL shouted that Bryan is about to throw away everything he worked for. Bryan prepared to kick Brad, but the Raw GM ducked out of the ring before Bryan could strike him. Maddox bailed to the stage as Bryan led the crowd in "No!" chants. On commentary, Cole said it's pretty apparent that someone has a vendetta against Bryan.

WINNER: Barrett at 5:26. They're trying to stack the deck against the underdog #1 contender to the WWE Title and get people upset about how Bryan is being treated to see him overcome the odds at Summerslam, but the presentation just feels so mid-card. Part of the problem is the Bryan-McMahon Conflict feels like a copy of a copy of a copy of something from the Attitude Era. And WWE is just reluctant to go all the way with Bryan, so they're half-stepping with this angle.

Still to come: Bryan is back on Raw in a face-to-face with Cena on Miz TV. Also still to come: C.M. Punk vs. Paul Heyman.

Up Next: Mr. MITB vs. Mr. MITB when Randy Orton faces Damien Sandow.

[Commercial Break at 8:10]

Back live, Damien Sandow was ringside staring down the announcers. Well, Cody Rhodes, who was at the announce position. Sandow flashed his new MITB briefcase, then pulled out handcuffs and hooked the briefcase to the top turnbuckle. On commentary, Rhodes and JBL resumed their Duel of Words, then Cole plugged Sandow vs. Rhodes this Sunday at Summerslam.

[Q2] Randy Orton's music played to bring out Orton with his WWE Title MITB briefcase to face Sandow. Prior to the match starting, the announcers played up Orton lurking at Summerslam. The announcers also said Sandow could cash in after Alberto Del Rio vs. Christian for the World Title, to which Cody said Sandow will not be in condition for that.

2 -- RANDY ORTON vs. DAMIEN SANDOW

As the match started, the announcers and Rhodes focused on Sandow's new briefcase. Next, they focused on Sandow shoving Rhodes off the MITB ladder to win at the PPV last month. Rhodes asked JBL how he would feel if Ron Simmons pushed him off the ladder or if Jackie Fargo pushed Lawler off the ladder. The debate continued about whether Rhodes is still being sour-grapes, prompting Rhodes to just label Sandow as a turncoat after riding the road with him. After some slow-paced early action, Orton dropkicked Sandow to the floor to send Raw to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:20]

After a long commercial break, the match returned with Sandow in control of the match. During the break, Orton blasted Sandow on the outside, but Sandow regained control prior to returning to live action. To continue playing up the marketing pitch of "Anything Can Happen In WWE," JBL presented a scenario where the World Title match happens first at Summerslam, Sandow cashes in on the World champ, and Rhodes faces the new World champion.

At 10:00, Sandow dropped the Elbow of Disdain for a nearfall. Sandow then slapped on a chinlock and made it interesting by shouting, "I'm not letting go, Orton!" over and over. But, Orton found a way to slide underneath Sandow into a suplex to escape. Orton wanted his signature offense, but Sandow avoided the snap powerslam and delivered a swinging neckbreaker for a two count.

Orton came back with the snap powerslam moments later, then delivered a second-rope DDT that fired up the crowd. Orton got the crowd more fired up, then wanted the RKO, but Sandow pushed him away. Sandow quickly rolled to the floor right in front of Rhodes, who did not make a move. Sandow then glared at Rhodes and told him to take notes.

[Q3] Back in the ring, Sandow covered Orton, but Orton kicked out. Meanwhile, Cody hopped on the ring steps and tried to unhook the MITB briefcase, drawing Sandow's ire. Sandow told him to put it down, so Cody obliged. Back in the ring, Orton sprung on Sandow with the RKO, popping the crowd. It was good for the win.

WINNER: Orton at 13:47. More momentum for Orton heading into a teased MITB cash-in at Summerslam, while Sandow held his own in a big spotlight with Orton. Started slow, but finished strong.

Backstage: Rob Van Dam was shown doing his trademark stretches to prepare for what was announced as a #1 contender Battle Royal to the U.S. Title tonight on Raw. Cole said the winner gets a U.S. Title shot against Dean Ambrose at Summerslam.

Backstage: Suddenly, The Shield had a camera and airtime. Ambrose spoke, then Seth Rollins said the Old Guard has to go. Ambrose said they are the leaders of a New Generation. Rollins said they are younger, hungrier, and "just better." Roman Reigns spoke next that no one can compete at their level. Reigns said he will ask nicely that if two men want to step up and challenge them for the Tag Titles, then make your move.

Ambrose then spoke about the battle royal. He said no one in the battle royal can beat him because he is The Unbeatable Champion in This Company. Ambrose said C.M. Punk is a catchphrase and John Cena has a trophy. Ambrose said as long as Andre the Giant's ghost isn't in the battle royal, then he's winning at Summerslam. Believe in The Shield. Raw suddenly cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:34]

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL set the stage for C.M. Punk vs. Brock Lesnar at Summerslam. Cole then fed to Lesnar's sit-down interview running down Punk that aired Friday on Smackdown. Included was UFC footage from Lesnar's MMA career and Punk wrestling on the independents.

Locker Room: The camera focused on C.M. Punk, then Josh Mathews asked Punk about facing Paul Heyman tonight. Punk said he doesn't think there is a man alive who is afraid of Heyman in a one-on-one fight. Punk said he's known Heyman for a long time and everything he says or does is cold and calculating. It's a big chess game. Punk said if he's coming for The King, he better not miss. Punk said he expects to see Brock Lesnar tonight, so he'll have an eye out for him tonight.

In-ring: Back int he arena, Great Khali's music played to a tepid reaction. Khali, Natalya, and Hornswoggle came out on-stage as the announcers joked about the trio. Of note, Natalya and Khali were less chummy than before "Total Divas," which will document Natalya's real-life relationship with Tyson Kidd. Leading to commercial, Cole announced A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston facing Khali and Natalya on the other side of the break.

[Commercial Break at 8:42]

[Q4] Back from break, Khali's music was still playing and Cole plugged "Total Divas" on E! Big E. Langston's music then brought out Langston and Divas champion A.J. Lee. As the duo marched and skipped to the ring, respectively, they cut to an inset promo from Langston earlier today discussing Dolph Ziggler needing him more than he needed Dolph. Langston said he will break Ziggler in-half. "Show off? Nah. Show over." Before the bell sounded, the announcers plugged the mixed tag match of Ziggler & Kaitlyn vs. Langston & A.J. at Summerslam.

The match started with Langston and Khali, but Langston tagged in A.J., who skipped around Khali as Lawler attempted a joke about A.J. being a Pass-Around Patty. Backstage, Ziggler and Kaitlyn were shown awkwardly watching the match on a monitor. In the ring, A.J. isolated Natalya. She lost her cool, though, and Natalya slapped on the Sharpshooter. The crowd popped, A.J. tapped, and the ref seemed lost. Natalya dropped the hold and the crowd went dead-quiet as the match just froze. No ring music to signal the end of the match, but Natalya reached for the ref's hand for the decision anyways. The ref subtly waved her off, then Natalya re-applied the Sharpshooter. A.J. again tapped out, the ref again froze, and the ref eventually just called for the bell. After the match, Langston tried to attack Khali to get their heat back heading into Summerslam.

WINNERS: Natalya & Khali via submission at 3:40. A mess. And the heels finally got their comeuppance, not from Ziggler & Kaitlyn, who have been screwed and back-stabbed for months, but from a mixed tag duo that hasn't been on TV in months. Unbelievable.

Backstage: Mr. McMahon was shown walking down the hallway. He's at the top of the second hour.

[Commercial Break at 8:55]

Back from break, the announcers announced a one-hour Summerslam pre-show featuring Dean Ambrose's U.S. Title defense. Plus, a pre-show panel of Shawn Michaels, Booker T, and Natalya.

He hosted the weekly Pro Wrestling Focus radio show on KFAN in the early 1990s and hosted the Ultimate Insiders DVD series distributed in retail stories internationally in the mid-2000s including interviews filmed in Los Angeles with Vince Russo & Ed Ferrara and Matt & Jeff Hardy. He currently hosts the most listened to pro wrestling audio show in the world, (the PWTorch Livecast, top ranked in iTunes)

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